Super aggressive piggy

[Deleted member 145660]

Hi piggy parents, as some of you know I recently adopted three pigs from my local shelter. Things have been going quite well with 3/4 of the group, but there’s one who is not doing the best with the others. So for some background here I’ll explain my cage set up, I have four boys and four cages that are all relatively close together. One (Mickey/Pickle) is living by himself currently because he has an open sore on his back from the shelter that we are treating and I really don’t want the others hopping on him and irritating it. He is given his own separate play time out of the cage and can interact with the others through bars. My original boy who I’ve had since he was small and one of the piggies I adopted live next door to each other because Ace (my original boy) has a very strict routine and gets quite upset when anybody disturbs him after his bedtime (10 pm) and his new friend Ryan (one of the adopted boys) loves to zoom around at night. Ace and Ryan are allowed to play throughout the day as they get on very well and enjoy each other’s company. The problem pig here is Cookie. Cookie is super aggressive with all of the other piggies and has even gone to the point of biting and pulling out the others fur. Currently he is separated from the others in a large cage because he cannot be out in the play area. Ive tried to let him run around there while the others are locked in their cages but all Cookie wants to do is chew at the bars of their cages in attempt to get in. Cookie did live with Ace for about two weeks with no problems, but eventually Ace got sick of Cookie jumping on his back, following him around, stealing food, not allowing Ace to sleep, etc. and got really upset with him (lots of loud squeals and teeth chattering from Ace) and we had to move Cookie to his own cage. I also should mention that Cookie is the youngest out of the four. Ryan is 4, Mickey/Pickle is around 4 or 5 (we aren’t quite sure), Ace is 2 (almost 3), and Cookie is only 1. I’ve read that he is in his peak dominance years but his aggression seems to go beyond dominance. I’m really at a loss of what to do because he just doesn’t get along with anyone and whenever he’s in his cage he just chews the bars! As far as we know he’s always been a single pig up to this point so that could have something to do with it but I just don’t know. The shelter didn’t give us much information on him (or any of the pigs). I really want things to work out for Cookie here because he’s already gone through so much change but I just don’t know how he will work if he can’t get along with any of the others. Any advice at all is appreciated here! I only want the best for all of my boys I’ve included a picture of Cookie so you all can see how his sweet face had us fooled at the shelter

 

[Piggies&buns]

To clarify, they all live in separate cages is that right?
But you are letting Ace and Ryan play together during the day and then separating them at night? It’s not recommended to do this. If two piggies cannot live together permanently, then they should not have playtime together as to them each meeting is a full on bonding session which is then interrupted every time by the separation.

If Cookie does not have character compatibility with one other of your boys, then he will need to remain in a separate cage. Bar chewing is a common thing for them to do when they are alone etc.

 

[My Piggies]

To clarify, they all live in separate cages is that right?
But you are letting Ace and Ryan play together during the day and then separating them at night? It’s not recommended to do this. If two piggies cannot live together permanently, then they should not have playtime together as to them each meeting is a full on bonding session which is then interrupted every time by the separation.

If Cookie does not have character compatibility with one other of your boys, then he will need to remain in a separate cage. Bar chewing is a common thing for them to do when they are alone etc.

Beat me to it

 

[My Piggies]

So Pickle is by himself because of a sore (happened at the rescue) and has not had contact with the other boys?
When Pickle is better, could you try permanently bonding him with one of the other boys?
If Cookie did not get along with Ace, could you try him with Ryan or Pickle?
So theoretically (if all goes to plan, which of course it may not), you could have two boar pairs in two different cages (eg. Ace and Pickle, Ryan and Cookie).
Can I also just ask about cage sizing? Sometimes aggression can be due to boys not having enough space. 180cm x 60cm is the recommended size for a boar pair.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Cookie did live with Ace for about two weeks with no problems, but eventually Ace got sick of Cookie jumping on his back, following him around, stealing food, not allowing Ace to sleep, etc. and got really upset with him (lots of loud squeals and teeth chattering from Ace) and we had to move Cookie to his own cage.

Mounting, stealing food are normal dominance behaviours. The loud squeaking is submission and is a good thing, its the submissive (ace) saying I’m no threat to you. Cookie is a teenager and their hormones can take over. A short separation and then neutral territory reintroduction would be recommended to give Cookie time to calm down and then try them again together to see if he re-engages his brain and settles down.

If ace was properly being bullied - losing weight through never being allowed to eat, becoming withdrawn then that is bullying

 

[Deleted member 145660]

To clarify, they all live in separate cages is that right?
But you are letting Ace and Ryan play together during the day and then separating them at night? It’s not recommended to do this. If two piggies cannot live together permanently, then they should not have playtime together as to them each meeting is a full on bonding session which is then interrupted every time by the separation.

If Cookie does not have character compatibility with one other of your boys, then he will need to remain in a separate cage. Bar chewing is a common thing for them to do when they are alone etc.

Yes currently pickle and cookie live in separate cages. Ace and Ryan’s cage is really one large cage that we have been dividing in half during the night. I should’ve mentioned that the past couple of nights they have spent together. Ryan likes to free range in the play area at night so I was also a little concerned with that because Ace tends to be a little explorer and I don’t want him getting brave one night and finding his way out. But they did quite well with their sleep-overs so I did remove the divider

 

[Deleted member 145660]

So Pickle is by himself because of a sore (happened at the rescue) and has not had contact with the other boys?
When Pickle is better, could you try permanently bonding him with one of the other boys?
If Cookie did not get along with Ace, could you try him with Ryan or Pickle?
So theoretically (if all goes to plan, which of course it may not), you could have two boar pairs in two different cages (eg. Ace and Pickle, Ryan and Cookie).
Can I also just ask about cage sizing? Sometimes aggression can be due to boys not having enough space. 180cm x 60cm is the recommended size for a boar pair.

Pickle has not been in direct contact with any of the others, he can visit through the bars of his cage or Ace and Ryan’s cage (depending on who has playtime). Until he heals up a little more I would like to keep him separate to prevent an infection. We are hoping to have two bonded pairs but right now the only ones who can be with each other without issues are Ace and Ryan. Cookie will (and unfortunately has) pull fur out and bite Ryan. I’m not thinking cage sizing should be an issue but it’s always a possibility, Ace and Ryan share a 6x2 cage, Pickle has a 5x2 and Cookie also has a 5x2. When we introduced Cookie to Ace and then eventually Ryan it was in the play area which at this point is basically my whole living room

 

[Deleted member 145660]

Mounting, stealing food are normal dominance behaviours. The loud squeaking is submission and is a good thing, its the submissive (ace) saying I’m no threat to you. Cookie is a teenager and their hormones can take over. A short separation and then neutral territory reintroduction would be recommended to give Cookie time to calm down and then try them again together to see if he re-engages his brain and settles down.

If ace was properly being bullied - losing weight through never being allowed to eat, becoming withdrawn then that is bullying

Yes, I was just reading about that. I suppose I might’ve been a little quick with that situation because I feel very protective of Ace. But I might try Cookie with Pickle (of course meeting in a neutral area) once Pickle is healed up

 

[Piggies&buns]

While cage size can be an issue for boars, it’s character compatibility which is the most important factor as to whether they will bond.

If Ace and Ryan are happy to be together, then do leave them together with no further separations at night.

If Pickle and Cookie bond, then thats great, but if they don’t have compatibility, then they will need to remain separate.

 

[Deleted member 145660]

While cage size can be an issue for boars, it’s character compatibility which is the most important factor as to whether they will bond.

If Ace and Ryan are happy to be together, then do leave them together with no further separations at night.

If Pickle and Cookie bond, then thats great, but if they don’t have compatibility, then they will need to remain separate.

Definitely! Ace and Ryan seem to have a good relationship and understand each other’s boundaries. Ryan doesn’t quite understand Ace’s whole bedtime thing yet but he’s been getting betterWe are hoping for the best with Pickle and Cookie Thank you for all your help! I appreciate it

 

[My Piggies]

Definitely! Ace and Ryan seem to have a good relationship and understand each other’s boundaries. Ryan doesn’t quite understand Ace’s whole bedtime thing yet but he’s been getting betterWe are hoping for the best with Pickle and Cookie Thank you for all your help! I appreciate it

If Ace and Ryan get along, they need to be together all the time. Separating them at night and then putting them together in the morning can be very stressful - each time they are introduced is a full on bonding session.

 

[Deleted member 145660]

If Ace and Ryan get along, they need to be together all the time. Separating them at night and then putting them together in the morning can be very stressful - each time they are introduced is a full on bonding session.

Yes, they have been staying together over night the past couple nights because I have been able to watch and make sure things go well and the have been! Ace just likes to sleep at 10 and Ryan doesn’t understand why he won’t play and run around with him they are interesting little piggies, that’s for sure! And I completely get what you’re saying with the separation and bonding thing, I was only doing that because I was a little nervous of how things would go (after I saw Ryan and cookie together) with Ace, but they are besties now and love to hang out at the hay pile The last thing I would ever want for my piggies is for them to be stressed! Thank you for your help and advice! I appreciate it so much I only want to give these little boys the best, it’s a little complicated at times, but totally worth it to see those popcorning pigs

 

[Piggies&buns]

It may also help if you don't think of him as 'super aggressive' when it comes to bonding. He may be dominant and may have had a clash in character with the others, but it doesnt necessarily mean he is aggressive. Do also bear in mind that hormones play a part and can make bonding boars trickier until they are a little older - some rescues wont attempt bonding boars who are under 18 months of age and instead choose to neuter and bond with sows (although given you have a functioning pair in Ace and Ryan, having a sow in the same room as them would not be advised).

Keep us posted on how things go if you try Pickle and Cookie together. It is important that you dont step in too soon and while you are only seeing dominance behaviours.

 

[Deleted member 145660]

hello again! I know this doesn’t mean everything will be perfect, but tonight Cookie was out for his playtime and decided to snuggle right up next to Pickles house Pickle walked over and curled up right next to him. They were on opposite sides of the bars but it was still a very sweet moment and very different than Cookies behavior with the other boys (even through bars). The picture I’ve attached is after Pickle decided he needed some hay and walked away but Cookie is still cuddled right upvery sweet, it makes me almost hopeful that Cookie and Pickle might work out together (I know thats unfortunately not always how things go, good with bars between does not equal good together) Just hoping for the best

 

[Deleted member 145660]

hello again! I know this doesn’t mean everything will be perfect, but tonight Cookie was out for his playtime and decided to snuggle right up next to Pickles house Pickle walked over and curled up right next to him. They were on opposite sides of the bars but it was still a very sweet moment and very different than Cookies behavior with the other boys (even through bars). The picture I’ve attached is after Pickle decided he needed some hay and walked away but Cookie is still cuddled right upvery sweet, it makes me almost hopeful that Cookie and Pickle might work out together (I know thats unfortunately not always how things go, good with bars between does not equal good together) Just hoping for the best

 

[Piggies&buns]

All you can do is try neutral territory introduction when Pickle is ready. Hopefully they will get on!
You are right in that what goes on between the bars is not always positive - sometimes laying against the bars can be a way of them marking territory.
Good luck when you do try